- February 18, 2025
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Sandi Samuel and Marina Paraboschi
Hayley Rutger of Mote participates in clean up efforts on Sept. 5.
Volunteers pick up trash Sept. 5 on Siesta Key Public Beach.
The Greater Sarasota Chamber of Commerce hosted a post-Labor Day clean-up event on Sept. 5.
Sarasota County Parks, Recreation and Natural Resources Volunteer Coordinator Brenda Canales and Greater Sarasota Chamber of Commerce Communications Coordinator Dillon Buckland
Jordyn and Misty Keen
Michaela Theis and Charla Sugierski
Lynn Jones picks up trash on Siesta Key Public Beach on Sept. 5.
Brittany Cochrane, Seren Schuhart and Holly West
Jason and Colum Keen
Bea Ramsey and Tammy Jones
The holiday weekend may have come and gone, but that didn't keep the Greater Sarasota Chamber of Commerce from heading for the shoreline.
The chamber hosted a post-Labor Day cleanup event at Siesta Key Public Beach. The event came about after chamber Membership and Events Coordinator Megan Neal and Communications Coordinator Dillon Buckland attended Sarasota County's Fourth of July beach cleanup.
"We realized there is kind of a need for it after holidays when there is increased use for our beaches," Buckland said.
After learning the county didn't have plans for a post-Labor Day clean-up effort, Neal and Buckland put the chamber's network to work.
Mote Marine Laboratory and Aquarium, Visit Sarasota County, Sarasota County Parks, Recreation and Natural Resources and the Siesta Key Chamber of Commerce all pitched in to pick up the Labor Day litter.
Buckland said the chamber is no stranger to chipping in. It provides economic opportunities to its members, but this, he said, is an atypical opportunity for the organization.
"We help in economic development," he said. "But not so much providing volunteer opportunities for people."
The event garnered attention on social media, attracting residents as well as those affiliated with the sponsoring organizations.
"It's good to see it," Buckland said. "It's just a different way people are seeing the chamber than they normally would."